Bye-Bye, Bright Yellow Walls… (Plus: Tahoe Design Inspiration)

Here we are…right in the midst of a beautiful summer! I hope, despite how busy this season can get, everyone is healthy, safe and finding plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine.

If you know me, you know I love it all… the colors and scents of nature, and all the activity of the wildlife. I try to be outside as much as possible right now, and it’s hard not to bring that fresh inspiration back inside with me!

In this issue of our newsletter, we’re thrilled to give you a peek inside a recent modern townhome project. The homeowners were ready for a total facelift after years of bright yellow walls, and we had so much fun redesigning their space.

We also have some very exciting team news to share! You’ll get to meet our wonderful assistant, Kedrin, and discover how her recent trip to Lake Tahoe inspired a stunning new natural color palette.

Of course, if you have friends or family who share our passion for vibrant spaces and the power of color, please pass this newsletter on to them! They can also subscribe via the form on our website.

Here’s to a wonderful, sun-filled rest of your summer!!

 

NEW PROJECT REVEAL (PICTURED ABOVE)

Project Reveal: Riverside Lane Modern

In this newer townhome where contemporary, open living prevailed, the homeowners wanted an update.

After many years of living with bright yellow walls and the same furniture layout almost everywhere, the space needed a facelift. New wall treatments, draperies, rugs, lighting, upholstered pieces and proper art display was in high demand.

These updates greatly enhanced the existing pieces we chose to work with giving them a breath of fresh air. The feeling of a contemporary, open space remains but with more levels of energy, calm, and focus.

Click here to see more of this project!

Photographer: Drew Gray Photography (visit website)

 

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Kedrin Lutz

Hello! I’m Kedrin Lutz (rhymes with Excedrin—and yes, I’m just as effective at curing your design headaches!).

I’ve always believed that a home should be a reflection of the heart, but my own journey into interior design has been shaped by the many hats I wear. I am a mother, a wife, a student, a daughter, and a sister. These roles aren’t just titles to me; they are the reason I understand how a home actually needs to function.

In October of 2025, I began a dream chapter as the assistant to Susan E. Brown. We first met at International Market Square in Minneapolis, where we became fast friends and even faster coworkers. While Susan sets the overarching vision for a project, I am there to ensure every detail is executed to perfection. My life experience as a “multi-hat-wearer” makes me an expert at managing complex schedules and understanding the practical needs of a busy home—all while bringing a laugh or two to the process.

I truly love all design styles, which is exactly what drew me to Susan’s work. She is absolutely wonderful with her use of colors, fabrics, and textures. After working alongside her these past few months, I have found it so inspiring to watch her create and see the way her brain envisions a space—it truly is something special.

I can’t wait to help bring that same magic to your home.

XO – Kedrin

 

OB LOCATION

A Color Palette Inspired by Lake Tahoe

By Kedrin Lutz

My husband, Chris, and I share a deep passion for travel. Experiencing how people live around the world has always spoken to our souls.

As I’ve continued my education in interior design and had the privilege of working alongside Susan as her assistant, the way I travel has transformed. Places are no longer just destinations to visit — they’ve become living studies in design. Now, when I step into a new space, I see it through a different lens. I notice texture. I observe balance. I feel harmony. I study the way light moves across surfaces, how materials age, how colors interact, and how spaces tell stories. Travel has become more than exploration — it has become inspiration.

This entire trip felt like a living mood board. From the rich, earthy greens and layered browns of the forest to the luminous aquamarine waters along the shore of Lake Tahoe, every moment was a study in color and contrast.

Nature truly is the ultimate designer. It effortlessly layers texture, balance, movement, and harmony — the very elements we strive to bring into the home. Being surrounded by it was both grounding and inspiring, a reminder that the most beautiful spaces begin with what already exists in the natural world.

Lake Tahoe reminded me that great design doesn’t have to shout. It can be calm. It can be layered. It can feel effortless and deeply rooted in its surroundings.

~

Whether you’re staying cool indoors or soaking up every bit of the summer sun, I hope your season is filled with beauty and relaxation. We can’t wait to connect with you again in the next issue.

Until next time,